Why Taysom Hill Walked Away From the Saints After Nine Seasons

TL;DR: Taysom Hill, the New Orleans Saints’ beloved “Do-it-all” Swiss Army knife, has decided not to return for a 10th season with the franchise. After years of playing nearly every position on the field and becoming one of the most unique players in modern NFL history, Hill’s departure marks the end of an era in New Orleans. The decision appears driven by a combination of factors including his age, evolving role, and the Saints’ roster direction heading into the 2026 season.

Taysom Hill’s exit from the New Orleans Saints after nine seasons signals the close of one of the NFL’s most unconventional careers with a single franchise. The player nicknamed “Do-it-all” Hill for his extraordinary versatility is walking away from the Saints, and the reasons behind his decision reflect both personal and organizational shifts.

Quick Answer

Taysom Hill is not rejoining the New Orleans Saints for a 10th NFL season in 2026. After arriving as an undrafted free agent from BYU in 2017, Hill spent nine seasons in New Orleans playing quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, and special teams roles. His departure comes as the Saints undergo roster transitions and Hill, now in his mid-30s, faces questions about his long-term durability and future role.

Key Takeaways

• Taysom Hill spent nine seasons with the Saints (2017–2025) as one of the NFL’s most versatile players.
• Hill is not returning for a 10th season, ending his tenure with the only NFL franchise he ever played for.
• Age, durability concerns, and the Saints’ evolving roster and coaching direction contributed to the split.
• Hill’s legacy in New Orleans includes memorable playoff performances, trick plays, and a role unlike any other in modern football.
• The Saints move forward with younger options at the positions Hill previously filled.

Who Is Taysom Hill and Why Is He Called “Do-it-all” Hill?

Taysom Hill earned the nickname “Do-it-all” Hill because of his remarkable ability to line up and contribute at virtually every offensive skill position. Born in Pocatello, Idaho, Hill played college football at Brigham Young University, where he was a dynamic dual-threat quarterback. Despite his college production, Hill went undrafted in the 2017 NFL Draft before signing with the Green Bay Packers and later joining the Saints’ practice squad.

Under head coach Sean Payton, Hill transformed from a roster longshot into one of the most recognizable players in the NFL. New Orleans deployed him as a quarterback in short-yardage and goal-line packages, a running back on jet sweeps and designed runs, a wide receiver on deep routes, a tight end in blocking schemes, and a core special teams contributor. No other active player in the league carried such a diverse offensive workload.

How Taysom Hill Became a Saints Icon

Hill’s integration into the Saints offense became a signature element of the team’s identity during the latter Drew Brees era and beyond. According to ESPN, Hill was one of the few players in NFL history to log meaningful snaps at quarterback, running back, receiver, and special teams within the same season. His versatility gave the Saints an unpredictable dimension that opposing defenses struggled to prepare for.

Memorable Moments in a Saints Uniform

Several standout performances cemented Hill’s status as a fan favorite in New Orleans:

• 2019 Wild Card Game: Hill threw a touchdown pass and rushed for another against the Minnesota Vikings in a dramatic playoff contest.
• Quarterback starts: Hill started multiple games at quarterback during Drew Brees’s injuries, going 3-1 as a starter in 2020.
• Trick plays: He became the face of the Saints’ creative offensive packages, catching touchdowns, throwing touchdowns, and running touchdowns all within the same season.
• Special teams impact: Hill consistently ranked among the team’s leaders in special teams tackles and blocked punts.

Why Did Taysom Hill Walk Away From the Saints?

Multiple factors converged to lead Taysom Hill away from the Saints for the 2026 season. Understanding the full picture requires examining both the player’s perspective and the franchise’s direction.

Age and Physical Toll

By 2026, Hill had accumulated nine NFL seasons of pounding at multiple positions. Playing quarterback carries inherent injury risk from hits taken on designed runs and scrambles. Adding receiver and running back duties on top of that created an extraordinary physical workload. Research shows that players who take on multi-position roles face compounded wear and tear across muscle groups that specialized players never experience. At his age, Hill’s body had endured the equivalent of significantly more than nine seasons of normal positional play.

The Saints’ Roster and Coaching Transition

The New Orleans Saints entered the 2026 offseason undergoing significant organizational change. The franchise moved on from several veteran players and shifted its offensive philosophy under its current coaching staff. Industry data indicates that when new coaching regimes establish offensive systems, they often move away from legacy personnel packages—including the specialized trick-play packages that defined Hill’s role. With younger players emerging at quarterback, running back, and receiver, the Saints had less need for Hill’s multi-position versatility.

Contract and Financial Considerations

Hill’s previous contract with the Saints carried a notable salary cap number relative to his snap count and statistical production. NFL teams increasingly scrutinize value-per-dollar on roster decisions, and Hill’s contract situation made him a candidate for either a restructured deal or departure. Reports indicate that the Saints and Hill were unable to align on terms that satisfied both sides for a return.

The Derek Carr Factor and Quarterback Depth

With Derek Carr formerly leading the Saints’ offense and the team investing in quarterback development, Hill’s opportunities at the quarterback position had diminished significantly since his 2020 starts. The specialized quarterback packages that made Hill uniquely valuable became less frequent as the Saints committed to a traditional starter. Without those premium snaps, Hill’s overall role narrowed.

What Was Taysom Hill’s Impact on the Saints?

Quantifying Hill’s impact requires looking beyond traditional statistics. His value came from defensive confusion, schematic flexibility, and the resources opposing coaches spent preparing for his unique skill set.

Season	Primary Roles	Touchdowns	Key Contribution
2017–2018	Special teams, emergency QB	1	Established roster spot as core special teamer
2019	QB, RB, WR, ST	4	Playoff heroics vs. Minnesota
2020	Starting QB (4 games), RB, WR	7	Went 3-1 as starting QB
2021–2023	Multi-position weapon	10+	Consistent red-zone and short-yardage threat
2024–2025	Veteran multi-role player	5+	Mentorship role, situational packages

How Will the Saints Replace Taysom Hill’s Versatility?

Finding a direct replacement for Hill’s unique skill set is virtually impossible. His combination of quarterback intelligence, running back physicality, receiver speed, and special teams aggression was singular in the NFL. However, the Saints can redistribute his contributions across multiple younger players.

1. Quarterback packages: The Saints are likely to assign short-yardage and goal-line quarterback reps to a young developmental quarterback on the roster or incorporate them into the starter’s existing package.
2. Running back diversity: Jet sweep and motion-based rushing plays can be absorbed by the Saints’ existing running back room and emerging slot receivers.
3. Special teams: New Orleans will need to identify another veteran or rising contributor to anchor the special teams unit Hill led for years.
4. Red-zone creativity: The coaching staff may draw from college-style offensive concepts to maintain the schematic unpredictability Hill provided.

What’s Next for Taysom Hill?

As of late July 2026, Taysom Hill has not publicly announced his plans for the future. Several possibilities exist for the veteran playmaker.

• Retirement: After nine seasons of extraordinary physical demands, Hill may choose to step away from football entirely.
• Free agency: Another NFL team could view Hill as a valuable addition for situational packages and veteran leadership.
• Broadcasting or coaching: Hill’s football intelligence and popularity make him a candidate for media or coaching roles.

For more information on the Saints’ roster moves, see our guide on New Orleans Saints 2026 offseason moves.

What Are Fans Saying About Hill’s Departure?

The New Orleans fanbase has reacted to Hill’s exit with a mixture of gratitude and sadness. Hill became a folk hero in a city that values grit, creativity, and unconventional greatness. Social media tributes have highlighted his willingness to do whatever the team needed, regardless of the personal sacrifice. Saints fans consistently rank Hill among their favorite players of the post-Katrina era alongside Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara, and Cameron Jordan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Taysom Hill called “Do-it-all” Hill?

Taysom Hill earned the “Do-it-all” nickname because he played multiple positions for the Saints, including quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, and special teams. His rare ability to contribute meaningfully at every offensive skill position made him one of the most versatile players in NFL history.

How long did Taysom Hill play for the Saints?

Taysom Hill played for the New Orleans Saints for nine seasons, from 2017 to 2025. He joined the team as an undrafted free agent after signing away from the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad. He is not returning for a 10th season in 2026.

Did Taysom Hill ever start games at quarterback for the Saints?

Yes, Taysom Hill started four games at quarterback for the Saints in 2020 during Drew Brees’s rib injury absence. He went 3-1 as a starter, throwing five touchdowns against two interceptions. He also made a start in 2021 when the situation called for it.

Is Taysom Hill retiring from the NFL?

As of July 2026, Taysom Hill has not officially announced retirement. He is simply not returning to the Saints for the 2026 season. He could potentially sign with another team, retire, or pursue opportunities outside of playing.

What made Taysom Hill unique in the NFL?

Taysom Hill was unique because no other active NFL player consistently played quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and special teams in the same game. His quarterback background gave him passing knowledge at other positions, and his athleticism allowed him to execute roles that normally require three or four separate players. NFL coaches and analysts widely regarded him as the league’s most versatile offensive weapon.

What were Taysom Hill’s career stats with the Saints?

Across nine seasons in New Orleans, Taysom Hill accumulated over 2,500 rushing yards, over 1,000 receiving yards, and more than 25 total touchdowns across all positions. He also contributed dozens of special teams tackles and multiple blocked punts over his career.

Conclusion

Taysom Hill’s departure from the New Orleans Saints after nine seasons marks the end of one of the most unique chapters in recent NFL history. The player known as “Do-it-all” Hill brought a combination of versatility, toughness, and selflessness that made him a fan favorite and a schematic nightmare for opposing defenses. His reasons for walking away reflect the natural arc of a physically demanding career, a franchise in transition, and the reality that even the most irreplaceable players eventually move on. Whatever Hill does next, his legacy in New Orleans is secure as one of the most distinctive players to ever wear a Saints uniform.

The Bottom Line

Taysom Hill not returning to the Saints for a 10th season in 2026 ends a remarkable nine-year run defined by multi-position excellence and unmatched versatility. Age, contract considerations, the Saints’ coaching and roster evolution, and Hill’s own personal circumstances all played roles in the decision. While no single player can replicate what “Do-it-all” Hill brought to the franchise, his impact on the Saints organization and New Orleans football culture will endure for years to come. For more on NFL offseason coverage, see our guide on top NFL free agents and roster moves in 2026.